Thunq, A Brand Strategy Podcast

On this episode, strategist Reilly Newman discusses how AI is commoditizing productivity and what this means for employees, founders, and brands as the strategy needs to shift from busyness to meaning. Is AI here to devour jobs, or is it here to liberate humans? Reilly takes this to a thought he has been thinking about regarding the difference between what humans find meaningful and the act of pro...

Will your brand survive the compression layer? In this episode, Reilly Newman dives into how your brand isn't remembered, it's rebuilt. He discusses the brand strategy problems and opportunities when it comes to AI agents and humans. As a brand strategist, Reilly breaks down what he calls the compression layer, which is involved in the neuroscience of how brands are recalled by consumers ....

Most founders think they have a marketing problem. They don’t. They have a positioning problem and it’s quietly slowing every part of their business. In this episode, Reilly Newman breaks down why positioning is the lifeblood of your business, not a marketing tactic. You’ll learn how perception shapes growth, why framing beats features, and how to identify the hidden gaps preventing customers from...

Why do some people see your brand as “worth it” while others don’t? In this episode of Thunq, Reilly Newman breaks down the invisible but powerful force behind consumer behavior: affordance; the perceived options available to someone in a given context. Reilly dives deep into how buyers subconsciously evaluate whether your product or service fits their identity, ability, and aspirations. Using beh...

Retail is evolving — again. In this episode of Thunq, Reilly Newman explores how major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Costco are ushering in a new era of commerce by creating subbrands that speak directly to customer desire. These aren't just private labels; they're curated, lifestyle-driven experiences that redefine how we shop and what we expect from a brand. Reilly introduces the c...

Ever wonder why toothpaste has to burn to feel like it’s working? Or why people trust expensive products more—even when they break? On this episode of Thunq, Reilly Newman unpacks the surprising psychology behind discomfort, pricing, and perceived value. From ointments that don’t sting to luxury brands that win loyalty through high expectations, we explore why pain —physical or financial—is often...